BUFFALO, N.Y. – City of Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown has created a 5/14 Remembrance Committee. The committee has been tasked with creating community events taking place in May 2023 marking the one-year occurrence of the racially motivated mass shooting at the Jefferson Avenue Tops Friendly Markets on May 14, 2022.
“Since that day, residents throughout the city and the surrounding community, have been working through a wide range of emotions brought forth by this attack,” Mayor Brown said. “As it has been more than seven months since the tragic event, our thoughts and prayers remain with the victims and their families.”
The 514 Remembrance Committee will be co-chaired by Michael Edbauer President of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York, and Eunice Lewin SUNY Trustee.
Michael Edbauer President of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York said: “It will take a long time to heal from the damage this massacre has caused our community. The events organized by this committee will assist our community in the healing process, and I’m grateful to be a part of that.”
Eunice Lewin SUNY Trustee said: “It's an honor, not only be a part of this committee, but also to play a key role in bringing our community together. As Co-chair, it is my hope that the events we plan will send a message that racism, intolerance and violence are unacceptable.”
The 5/14 Remembrance Committee consists of 22 members. All the committee members are honored to participate in this endeavor.
Sr. Vice President of Tops Friendly Markets Diane Colgan said: “As a committee, our commitment is to truly listen to the desires of the families of the victims, those directly impacted by the tragedy, and the community at large,” Colgan said. “We want our actions to be both thoughtful and respectful as we remember and honor all those impacted by this terrible tragedy.”
Buffalo Bills Pro Football Hall of Fame member Bruce Smith: “I am deeply honored to be a part of Buffalo’s 5/14 Remembrance Committee. Buffalo was not just the team I played for; it was also the place I called home for 15 years. And I’ll always be a Buffalonian at heart. The City of Buffalo is resilient, and we will continue to unite as a community to turn tragedy into triumph in loving honor of those lost and injured during the Tops attack.”
President and CEO of Buffalo Toronto Public Media Tom Calderone said: “We are honored to be part of the committee to commemorate that horrific day, but also to use our storytelling platforms in public media to heal together as a community and find ways to make this city stronger and more equitable,” Calderone said.
The 5/14 Remembrance Committee Members:
- President and CEO of Buffalo Toronto Public Media Tom Calderone
- President of the Baptist Minister’s Conference of Buffalo & Vicinity Timothy Brown
- Buffalo Bills Offensive Lineman Dion Dawkins
- Rapper Conway the Machine
- Actor Bill Fichtner
- Premier Cigars & Lounge Co-Owner Robin S. Truesdale
- Sr. Vice President of Tops Friendly Markets Diane Colgan
- M&T Bank Regional President of Western New York Eric Feldstein
- Chief Administrative Officer Mastercard & National Urban League Board Chairman Timothy Murphy
- Director of Johnnie B. Wiley Amateur Athletic Sports Pavilion Cedric Halloway
- University at Buffalo Professor of Law & Director of the Buffalo Criminal Law Center Luis E. Chiesa
- Vice President of Jefferson Avenue Apartments Tenant Council Gloria Adkins
- Jefferson Avenue Block Club Ruth Kennedy
- SUNY Trustee Eunice Lewin
- President of Highmark Western and Northeastern New York Michael Edbauer
- Albright Knox Art Gallery President Alice Jacobs
- Spelman College President Dr. Helene Gayle
- Buffalo Urban League President & CEO Thomas Beauford Jr.
- Uniland Vice President of Corporate Relations Laura Zaepfel
- 34 Group Inc A Thurman Thomas Company, Chief Business Development Officer Patti Thomas
- Garnell Whitfield, family member of 5/14 victim
- Bruce Smith, Buffalo Bills Pro Football Hall of Fame member